Golden Valley tennis makes CIF playoffs for first time

Valencia, Hart, West Ranch also learn playoff matchups

The Golden Valley Grizzlies boys tennis team is in the playoffs for the first time in school history.

With the release of the CIF brackets on Monday, Golden Valley earned an at-large spot into the CIF-Southern Section Division II playoffs as a wild-card team.

The Grizzlies (8-8) finished fourth in the Foothill League with a 4-6 record. They will play on the road against South Hills High of West Covina (14-3) in Tuesday’s wild-card matchup.

“It’s exciting to actually see it,” said third-year head coach Josh Stimac. “It’s the first in tennis on either side, boys or girls, to get into the playoffs. It’s exciting to see us in there and now I’d like to take it down to South Hills and do something with it.”

A win would put Golden Valley at La Canada in the first round of the playoffs the following day, but Stimac said he’s only concerned with advancing to the next round.

“It’s kind of an uphill battle at Golden Valley to make a winning team, so we’ve got to take these little victories we get here and there and I’m going to take this one and savor it,” Stimac said.

Other than Golden Valley, three other Foothill teams found out their playoff matchups on Monday.

League champion Valencia (17-3) hosts Rio Mesa (13-5) in the first round on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.

Valencia has bowed out in the second round of the playoffs in each of the last four seasons, though Valencia head coach Annie Kellogg says there’s no secret to ending that streak.

“You’ve got to have everyone playing their best game when you’re going against good teams,” she said.

The Vikings wouldn’t have to face a top four seed in the bracket until the quarterfinals, when it could potentially go up against No. 3 seed Beverly Hills.

Also on Wednesday, the Foothill’s No. 2 teams, Hart (14-6), will travel to face Camarillo (13-3) in the first round.

If Hart gets past the first round, it will likely face the No. 1 seed San Marino in round two.

After finishing third in league, West Ranch (6-8) will play Tuesday in a wild-card match on the road against Oxnard (7-6).

A win would pit West Ranch against Rowland in the first round on Wednesday.

All playoff matches are initially scheduled to start at 3 p.m. unless both teams agree upon a different time.